PAID helps employers, people with disabilities come together

March 12, 2004|By VICKI ROCK, Daily American Staff Writer

Kuchera Defense Systems Inc., Windber, made a serious commitment to hiring people with disabilities about six years ago, according to Patty Katarski, executive director, Pennsylvania Association for Individuals with Disabilities.

Now 42 percent of employees who work in the Defense Systems division and 12 percent of employees who work for the commercial side, Kuchera Industries, have disabilities.

"Phil Kuchera is on our board," she said. "We call him our poster boy for employing people with disabilities. He said they believed it was the right thing to do and they themselves are the ones who have really benefited."

While the unemployment rate in the Cambria-Somerset counties market is regularly about 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 percent, the unemployment rate of people with disabilities is 18.6 percent, she said. Her group brings together individuals with disabilities and employers.

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Her comments came during a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant employer breakfast held Thursday at The Inn at Georgian Place.

Sharon Clapper, Intermediate Unit 08 transition coordinator for Somerset County, heard about the availability of grants to make employers more aware of help available when they hire people with disabilities. She and Francis Meyers, curriculum-federal coordinator for the Meyersdale Area School District, wrote the grant application. A Medicaid Infrastructure Grant of $6,000 was awarded.

"We are involved heavily in programs for special needs students," Dr. Curtis Kerns, superintendent of the Meyersdale Area School District, said. "In addition to the School to Work program, we have a program with Somerset Trust in which bank employees teach the kids about checking and savings accounts."

Larry Tweed, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, said one of the reasons why people who received Medical Assistance or Social Security programs are frightened to go to work is that they lose those medical benefits.

The Ticket to Work program now pays for benefits for several years, he said, and the Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities program allows them to purchase coverage at a cost based on their income.

Judy Schollaert, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, said there are many financial incentives for hiring people with disabilities. Employers will get a pre-screened qualified person for a job and a support system. There are also tax credits for equipment purchases.

"The most significant employer concern is the bottom line," Katarski said. "The impact is not what employers think it will be. It won't increase your health care costs and people with disabilities don't use as much sick time and have a history of longevity with their employers. These people are seriously motivated to get out and work. And as an employed individual, they are paying taxes, infusing money in to the economy and reducing their dependence on governmental programs."